Historic First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi, USA (founded 1837) is the largest Presbyterian congregation in the State and one of the largest in the United States. A flagship congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), First Church played a significant role in establishing the PCA (the largest conservative Presbyterian denomination in the English-speaking world), Reformed Theological Seminary, and Reformed University Ministries (a nationwide campus fellowship).

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Jeff is a teacher and facilitator at the Bible Institute of South Africa (BISA). There has never been a Bible training school in his specific area. His goal is to provide training school in the context and at a minimal cost. Most pastors in these areas have NO training at all, and many are hungry for Biblical training.Two of Jeff and Patty’s children have been diagnosed with fairly serious health problems. Their oldest son did not cope very well in the US and is returning to South Africa. Please pray for his transition back to South Africa and for the Lord’s leading regarding his future. Their second son, Matthew is a senior and intends to study biology next year at Virginia Tech. Please also pray regarding his future. Their daughter Lydia has Celiac’s Disease (gluten intolerance), pray for her.

Please pray for Jeff’s wife as she prepares food regarding Lydia’s dietary restrictions (no wheat, barley, rye or oats). In South Africa, there are not very many ready-made gluten-free products available so this can be problematic.

Lastly, the past month has been very difficult for the Borden family. Please pray for some much-needed rest. .

Friday, May 01, 2009

Bill and Allen Bradford have been laboring in Peru since February of 1999. As pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America, Bill’s primary responsibilities are mentoring pastoral candidates, teaching in the denominational seminary and serving as assistant editor of publications for the Peru Mission press. Bill and Allen have four children: Mollie (10), William (8), Hannah (5), and Andrew (2).

Bill and Allen have witnessed tremendous growth since they first moved to Peru eight years ago; in their own family (from one child to four), in their mission team (from two full-time families on the field to five), in their churches (various church plants and revitalizations), from no seminary to their 1st graduate.

Bill and Allen work with the Peru Mission Team of American missionaries and Peruvian church leaders working in Northern Peru with the purpose of co-laboring with God’s spirit to build genuine Christian communities which display a spiritual, social, cultural, educational and economic life that is molded, shaped and propelled by the Gospel. The team works within the Iglesia Evangelica Presbiteriana del Peru in the areas of church planting, leadership training, university ministry, translation and publication of Reformed literature, and mercy ministries.

By God’s grace Bill and Allen have seen solid advances in all their churches, both in Trujillo and Cajamarca. New people are visiting the churches, quite a few people are seeking to become members, the pastors are striving to deepen their relationships with their neighbors, the worship services are improving and small group discipleship programs have begun.

In addition, Bill and Allen have been able to take steps forward in the construction of most of their buildings. Please continue to pray for Pastors Ricardo, Eduardo and Guillermo, as well as for their new student intern, Percy Padilla.

The seminary has completed another year. One exciting development is that two of their pastors are nearing the completion of their work and are due to be ordained in a few months.

Bill and Allen praise the Lord for what He is doing among His humble servants in Peru. They ask for your prayers as they seek to serve the Lord in Peru that His church may grow and shine forth His glory.